PIL plea against Perungudi toll plaza

 The Madras High Court on Thursday ordered notice to government authorities on a public interest litigation petition against the toll plaza on Rajiv Gandhi Salai near Perungudi.

A writ petition filed by ‘Traffic’ Ramasamy contended that the toll plaza had been erected at a place close to residential areas, schools and colleges. This had resulted in many of the local residents being forced to pay toll for travelling even short distances.

He also said that there were no guidelines for fixing the toll amounts and that the rates fixed and collected by the government were arbitrary and excessive, causing hardship to the residents.

Hence he urged the court to direct the authorities to shift the toll plaza to an alternative location more than 15 km from the city limits. In the interim, he also sought a direction giving exemption to all local residents passing through the toll plaza.

The court ordered notice to the respondents. They include the Highways Department Secretary, the CEO of the Tamil Nadu Road Development Company (TNRDC), the Managing Director of IT Expressway Limited, the Kancheepuram District Collector and the Chennai Police Commissioner. The case was posted for hearing on July 9.